Below Average
#2311 of 2,846 schools in PA
Swatara MS
Middle School · Central Dauphin Sd · Steelton, PA
A Central Dauphin Sd middle school where students score 6 points below what's typical for similar communities.
1101 Highland St, Steelton, PA 17113
- Math 14% vs PA 36% (2024)
- Reading 39% vs PA 53% (2024)
- 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Swatara MS score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 38 points across the 16-year record (2009–2024) and has held near 27% recently.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 30% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 46% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Swatara MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 23Car-Dependent
- Bike 22Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,309/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Steelton), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$60,554
Median home value
$141,300
Median rent
$1,091/mo
College educated
14.8%
Homeownership
59.7%
Poverty rate
16.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 17113; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Samuel SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | PK–12 | 1.0 mi | 20 | Compare → |
| Reach Cyber CsCharter · enrollment unverified | 5.4 | K–12 | 2.2 mi | 6,146 | Compare → |
| Marshall AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 5–8 | 2.5 mi | 73 | Compare → |
| Marshall Math Science AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 2.7 | 5–8 | 2.5 mi | 380 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Central Dauphin Sd
- Schools in district
- 19
- Rank in district
- #16 of 19
- District spending per student
- $15,486NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Swatara MS is listed in Central Dauphin SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Swatara MS
Swatara MS is a public middle school in Steelton, PA, part of Central Dauphin Sd, serving approximately 644 students in grades 6th-8th with a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,311 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Swatara MS
What grades does Swatara MS serve?
Swatara MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Swatara MS?
Swatara MS has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Swatara MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Swatara MS is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Swatara MS rank in PA?
Swatara MS ranks #2,311 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Swatara MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Swatara MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Swatara MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Swatara MS has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Swatara MS a charter school?
No, Swatara MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Swatara MS a Title I school?
No, Swatara MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swatara MS?
100.0% of students at Swatara MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 644
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dauphin County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.7%
- Phone
- (717) 939-9363
- Area population (ZIP 17113)
- 11,786
- Area average commute
- 18.5 min
- Area median age
- 39.3
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 17113; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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